What Does the Rising Homicide Rate Say about South LA?

Last month, there were 29 homicides in Los Angeles, compared to 21 in January of last year. That increase has led the LAPD to beef up its presence in the Southeast, 77th, Newton and Hollenbeck Divisions. Extra officers are on duty — and in uniform. LA Times reporter Jill Leovy reported on every homicide that occurred in the year 2007 -- during an epidemic of killing that began in the 1990's. She created the paper's Homicide Report blog and wrote a book, just out, called Ghettoside: A True Story of Murder in America.